HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER SIEGE IN UGANDA

A Dossier on State Violence, Torture, and the Collapse of Democratic Order

By Kizito Enock

Uganda is experiencing a severe and escalating human rights crisis marked by unlawful force, torture, extrajudicial violence, and the militarisation of political activity. Recent photographic evidence captured during the campaign season demonstrates a consistent pattern of security agencies both police and military using prohibited and extreme violence against unarmed civilians and political actors. These incidents reveal a deliberate and systematic assault on civic freedoms, political participation, and the fundamental rights enshrined in Uganda’s Constitution and international law.

Figure 1

UPDF soldiers and police violently surrounding and beating unarmed civilians who are sheilding the Presidential aspirant Robert Kyagulayi Ssentamu from not being beaten

One of the clearest displays of state violence appears in the first photograph, which shows a combined force of military soldiers and police officers violently surrounding a group of unarmed civilians. The soldiers are visibly armed with sticks, rifles, and riot equipment, and several officers can be seen aggressively pushing, hitting, and dragging individuals. The civilians appear cornered and outnumbered, demonstrating the disproportionate and unlawful use of force. The image shows multiple uniformed personnel raising sticks in striking positions, confirming the use of beatings as a method of crowd control, an action that directly violates Article 24 of the Constitution of Uganda, which states: “No person shall be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” The conduct portrayed also violates Section 4 of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, which criminalises “any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted by a public official.”

Figure 2

A civilian severely injured, bleeding from a head wound inflicted by security forces.

The second photograph shows a gravely injured civilian with a deep head wound bleeding profusely, being supported by others while surrounded by police officers in uniform. The wounded individual is visibly disoriented and in physical distress, indicating the severity of the assault that took place. Standing beside him is another civilian protected by a ballistic vest and helmet who appears to be pleading or attempting to intervene, surrounded by heavily armed police personnel. This image captures the aftermath of brutal force used during a political procession and illustrates the intentional targeting and harming of unarmed citizens during election-related activities. The visible injury underscores violations of Article 22(1) of the Constitution, which states: “No person shall be deprived of life intentionally except in execution of a sentence passed in a fair trial by a court of competent jurisdiction.” While the photographed victim survived, the severity of the assault constitutes an attempted deprivation of life and a clear case of torture under Ugandan and international law.

Figure 3

A man lying helpless on the ground as armed officers strike and restrain him.

The third photograph shows a man lying motionless on the ground as armed police officers and soldiers surround him. One officer appears to be stepping toward or onto the individual, while another raises a baton in a striking posture. Additional officers are seen descending aggressively from a police truck with batons and rifles in hand, intensifying the perception of coordinated and excessive force. The man on the ground shows no indication of resistance, movement, or threat, making the use of such force unlawful, punitive, and degrading. This conduct violates Article 29(1)(d) of the Constitution, which guarantees “freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed,”and Article 23(1), which prohibits arbitrary deprivation of personal liberty. It further contravenes Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which provides: “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention.” The assault shown in the photograph constitutes not merely arrest but violent suppression, prohibited under all applicable human rights instruments.

Collectively, the photographic evidence demonstrates the unlawful deployment of the army into civilian political affairs, a practice expressly prohibited by Section 39(2) of the UPDF Act, which states: “A member of the Defence Forces shall not participate in political activities; engage in partisan politics; or publicly express his or her political views.” Yet the images clearly depict uniformed UPDF soldiers engaging directly in political suppression, beating civilians, and conducting arrests in collaboration with police. Their involvement is therefore illegal under domestic law, unconstitutional, and violative of international norms governing civil-military relations.

These actions also stand in violation of Uganda’s obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT). Article 2(1) of CAT requires: “Each State Party shall take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction.” Instead of preventing torture, the Ugandan state, through its security agencies, is visibly carrying it out in public spaces. Furthermore, the coordinated and repeated nature of these violent acts satisfies the definition of crimes against humanity under Article 7(1) of the Rome Statute, which includes “torture,” “persecution,” “other inhumane acts intentionally causing great suffering,” and “a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population.” The photographic evidence shows a consistent operational pattern: joint security units violently dispersing unarmed civilians, beating them with sticks, batons, and rifle butts, causing severe injury and bodily harm, and acting without provocation or legal justification.

The presence of the military at campaign events, their active beating and arresting of civilians, the visible injuries inflicted, and the brutality documented in both photographs and video material together demonstrate that Uganda’s current electoral climate cannot be described as free, fair, or democratic. Section 12 of the Electoral Commission Act requires the Commission “to ensure that the entire electoral process is conducted under conditions of freedom and fairness.” Yet the scenes captured and now preserved in this dossier—reflect an environment of fear, intimidation, and violence orchestrated by state actors. Ordinary citizens are unable to exercise their political rights without risk of physical harm, arbitrary detention, or death.

These images, coupled with additional evidence to be appended from video documentation, illustrate a country where security agencies empowered by the state are systematically violating rights, undermining democratic processes, and subjecting civilians to torture in direct violation of Ugandan law and international human rights instruments. Uganda is no longer merely experiencing isolated abuses; it is undergoing a human rights siege, in which state violence has become a tool of political control.